UEM And Maputo-SUL Sign Memorandum

20 June 2011

Maputo — Mozambique’s largest university, the Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding with the public company Maputo-Sul, intended to accelerate the development of both institutions.

Maputo-Sul is the company set up in order to build the new bridge over the bay of Maputo, which will link the centre of the city with the district of Katembe. It will also upgrade the roads between Katembe and Ponta do Ouro, on the border with the South African province of Kwazulu-Natal, and between the towns of Boane and Bela Vista.

The memorandum was signed by the UEM vice-chancellor, Orlando Quilambo, and by the managing director of Maputo-Sul, Nelson Nunes.

Under the terms of the agreement, Maputo-Sul and the UEM will enter into a partnership for the development of socio-economic activities that are complementary to the new bridge and roads.

Quilambo said the memorandum will allow university students from the relevant disciplines to participate in the construction of the Maputo-Katembe bridge, which will help prepare them for the labour market as future engineers and architects.

“Our mission is not restricted to teaching and research”, said Quilambo. “We also have the component of providing services to the community”.

Nunes said the memorandum will allow students studying engineering, economics and architecture to participate at all stages in the project to develop the far south of the country.

The memorandum will also “create annual themes which the students can research for writing their end of course theses”, he added. “In this way we want to contribute to improving the quality of higher education in Mozambique”.

The Minister of Public works, Cadmiel Muthemba, who witnessed the ceremony, said it is not possible to carry out all the projects for the development of the southern zone of Maputo province when the only means of transport across the bay is a ferry. Hence the need for the bridge.

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